A man was arrested Thursday, a day after authorities said a 17-year-old was shot to death outside a Clayton County grocery store.

Clayton police were called to the parking lot of the Kroger on Tara Boulevard around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. There, they found the teen, identified as Qi’Adrian Gordon, with multiple gunshot wounds, officials said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The store is in the Bonanza community, about three miles north of Lovejoy.

Witnesses told police they heard four gunshots before seeing a nondescript vehicle speeding away, authorities said.

The Clayton sheriff’s office announced Thursday that they arrested Yahiko West, 22. He is facing charges of malice murder and possession of a weapon during a crime.

Marquita Jones was in the area at the time and told Channel 2 Action News she heard the shots ring out.

“I had to ask somebody, ‘Was that gunshots?’” she said. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw police arrive shortly after and then saw the victim lying on the ground near the store.

“It’s hurtful, it’s painful. You got to pray for the kids, for the mom,” Jones told the news station.

No other details have been released by police. Officials ask anyone with information about the shooting to call 911.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A child died after being shot on Bell Street in April, Atlanta police said. (Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Featured

Donald Trump's administration deployed the military to Washington, D.C., in the name of fighting crime, and in an Aug. 11 news conference he mentioned the possibility of military being sent to other large American cities, all of which are led by Black, Democratic mayors. And while Atlanta wasn't included in Trump's list, the city fits that profile under Mayor Andre Dickens. (Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty)

Credit: Philip Robibero